What term describes a material's opposition to the flow of electric current?

The term that describes a material's opposition to the flow of electric current is resistance. Resistance is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering and physics, defining how much a material resists the movement of electrons within it. This property impacts how electrical circuits operate, influencing both the efficiency and the heat produced in electrical components.

Resistance is measured in ohms and is affected by several factors, including the material’s temperature, length, and cross-sectional area. Semiconductors, insulators, and conductors all have varying levels of resistance, which pertains to how they interact with electric current.

Understanding resistance is crucial when designing and analyzing circuits because it can dictate current flow and energy consumption. In contrast, voltage refers to the electric potential difference that drives current through a circuit, while current itself is the flow of electric charge. A battery serves as a source of voltage but does not directly define the opposition to that flow.